CMYK
A6 Thursday, February 18, 2021
Do’s and don’ts of caring for wedding jewelry
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
Jewelry is a key component
of weddings. The financial re-
source CreditDonkey notes that,
in the United States, the average
amount spent on an engage-
ment ring is $5,500. Jewelry costs
can add up, especially when
adding in the cost of wedding
bands, which can cost as much
as $1,000.
The cost of jewelry only un-
derscores the importance of
learning how to care for it and
preserve its value.
“It is very important to treat
your jewelry with care to keep
it looking like new. You should
avoid harsh chemicals and
abrasive materials. You should
avoid exposure to hairsprays,
perfumes, lotions, etc. It is rec-
ommended to not wear your
jewelry while doing housework
or showering,” said Carrie Law-
rence, co-owner of Valle Jewelers
of Batavia.
The best way to maintain
jewelry depends on the makeup
of the rings. The online jewelry
guide Jewelry Notes says gold
rings without gemstones can
be cleaned effectively with only
soap and water. Simply prepare
a solution of lukewarm water
and mild dish soap in a small
bowl. Soak the rings for 20 to
30 minutes. Use a soft brush or
cloth to clean the jewelry of dirt.
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Rinse the residue under clean
water.
Rings with diamonds can
be treated similarly with a mild
soap-and-water solution. The
Diamond Information Center
also says to soak the diamond
ring in equal parts cold water and
ammonia for half an hour and
let it air dry. Brand name jewelry
cleaner also is another good op-
tion. This method only should be
used with diamonds; ammonia
can’t be used with other gem-
stones.
Maintaining jewelry also
should include twice yearly visits
to a jeweler who can check the
prongs and make sure the set-
ting is not loose; otherwise, the
diamond can become dislodged,
according to Martha Stewart
Weddings.
Avoid touching diamonds
and other gemstones as much as
possible when putting rings on
and taking them off.
“An engagement ring should
be checked at least a couple of
times a year. We personally rec-
ommend even more frequently
if possible. Being proactive is
better than waiting until you
have lost a cherished stone. We
offer to clean and check jewelry
free of charge, no matter where
you may have purchased it,” said
Lawrence.
Precious stones often are
magnets for dust, dirt and body
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COURTESY OF VALLE JEWELERS
Maintaining jewelry also
should include twice yearly
visits to a jeweler who can
check the prongs and make
sure the setting is not loose.
oil, according to Taylor Lanore,
diamond consultant and en-
gagement ring designer for
COURTESY OF VALLE JEWELERS
The cost of jewelry only
underscores the importance of
learning how to care for it and
preserve its value.
Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Dia-
monds.
Grab the ring by the band.
Use discretion when wear- family heirloom or jewelry pur-
ing rings while engaging in chased from elsewhere that you
hands-on activities. Activities need us to prepare a written ap-
such as cleaning dishes, moving praisal on, we ask that you give
furniture, gardening, or diving us a call to set up an appoint-
through waves at the beach war- ment. There is a fee for this ser-
rant caution; otherwise, you risk vice,” said Lawrence.
damaging or making jewelry un- Take a close-up photo of the
necessarily dirty. Store the ring jewelry as well. Other items such
in a safe location until you can as laser inscription or a home se-
safely wear it again. curity system can qualify jewelry
One of the most important owners for discounts on insur-
steps to safeguard wedding and ance. Consumers also can add a
engagement rings is to insure the jewelry rider to a homeowner’s
jewelry. The description of the or renter’s insurance policy.
ring, its cut, carat weight, metal, These are some ways to care
and other information offered for wedding jewelry. Always
through a certified independent consult with a jeweler before at-
jewelry appraisal will be needed tempting to clean items made of
to insure the ring. various materials.
“We do include a free written
appraisal on any jewelry that we Metro Creative Connection con-
sell from our store. If you have a tributed to this report.
VALLE
JEWELERS
21 Jackson St.
Batavia
343-3372
www.ValleJewelersBatavia.com
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 CMYK

THE DAILY NEWS Thursday, February 18, 2021 A7

How to find your wedding florist

By KORI SCIANDRA “Usually stay away from any- Cost should not be the only fac- For more information about
ksciandra@batavianews.com thing fragrant, like star gazer lil- tor in the decision, even though Avon Floral World and Gift
Weddings join the lives of ies,” said Barb. it is an important one. Shoppe, 63 Genesee St., Avon,
two loving individuals, so they Allergies also may be exac- For more information about call (585) 226-3496.
can share their future with one erbated by flowers with strong Bush Hill Florist and Gift Shop-
another. Various elements help aromas. Discuss options with pe, at 2 North Main St., Perry, Metro Creative Connection con-
make weddings both momen- the florist before proceeding. call (585) 237-2550. tributed to this report.
tous and magical. n Explain your budget. Re-
Some weddings adhere to search the average cost of floral
themes that are designed to arrangements and let the flo-
make an impression and show- rist know what you can afford.
case couples’ personalities. This can help the florist narrow
Pictured are floral arrangements by Avon Floral World and Gift down options or make substi-
Floral arrangements are
Shoppe. tutions that fit your theme and
key components of wedding
themes, as they help to establish your budget.
ambiance at both the ceremony people are sensitive to smells. sometimes include a flower a Couples can take certain
A couple might have a cer- florist may suggest the bride 450 Ellicott St., Batavia
and reception. steps as they choose floral ar-
tain look in mind, but it could steer away from. rangements for their weddings. BUS: (585) 344-1416
Local florists have noted it’s RES: (585) 344-1034
tough to find a floral trend at MOBILE: 356-5559 Bernadette Penfield
this time due to the uncertainty EMAIL: optimum@localnet.net Owner-Broker GRI
of future events due to the CO- You’ll love your dress
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whether that’s rustic, romantic,
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Skilled florists may use a variety New designer gowns
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create the couple’s wedding
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These guidelines can make
the process go more smoothly.
n Establish your theme
early on. Floral arrangements
will complement and enhance
other elements of the wedding,
including color scheme and the
wedding theme.
If your wedding theme ties
into a specific season, you will
work with the florist to find Open to The Public
blooms and other pieces that
coordinate. For example, win- Terry Hills
ter weddings with white, ice
blue and silver color schemes Banquet Facility
may coordinate with white 5122 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia
ranunculus flowers, dahlias, Just 30 minutes from Buffalo or
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When a bride and groom are www.terryhills.com
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“They usually reach out and
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Shoppe.
n Bring swatches and pho-
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easier to explain color palettes
to a florist with examples in
hand. Show the florist the types
of arrangements you prefer and
have actual fabric swatches
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from bridesmaid gowns or
groomsmen vests so that colors
can be complemented.
“Set up an appointment with
Rustic Vintage Rentals
us. They (couples) can come
in, bring ideas they’ve looked by Julie Hess
at, and we have books they can
look through as well,” said Bush
Hill Florist and Gift Shoppe.
~ Rustic Decor & Props
n Create a list of desired
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may be beautiful, but many

A8 Thursday, February 18, 2021
Jessie Stablewski and Ron Snyder Jr. celebrated with
engagement pictures.
Pandemic wedding stories
RESILIENT COUPLES: Finding ways to celebrate special day during COVID
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
Like most other events during
the past year, the exchange of
wedding vows may look differ-
ent this year. Many couples were
forced to cancel or reschedule
their big day due to the COV-
ID-19 pandemic and the result-
ing attendance limits on indoor
events.
Those cancellations caused
lost venue deposits, along with
the unrecoverable cost of wed-
ding invitations, unusable
personalized décor, and much
more.
While the coronavirus is still
with us how does one find the
fun, love, and excitement that a
wedding can encompass during
such uncertain times?
Resilient couples are seeking
alternate venues. They’re find-
ing ways around the obstacles,
so they can still celebrate their
special day together. Many are
hosting their events outdoors
with fewer guests, so they can
social distance.
Here are the stories of two
couples planning weddings for
2021, and another from a couple
who married in 2020:
ARIEL AND JASON
Residents of Mount Morris,
Jason Carpenter and Ariel Gua-
rino purchased their first home
together in August of last year.
Jason, 41, works in debt collec-
tions and Ariel, 34, is an activities
director at an assisted living facil-
ity in Rochester. The couple got
engaged Feb. 14, 2020, at Fratel-
li’s, in Avon.
“We had gone out for Val-
entine’s Day dinner with two
other couples that we are close
with and Jason had apparently
already talked about his plan to
ask me to marry him. After we
had gotten done with dinner,
we were all in the parking lot
talking and I remember it be-
ing so cold and windy that I had
turned away from Jason because
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of the wind and then one of my
girlfriends said something like
‘Aww, look,’ and when I turned
around Jason was standing there
with his arm extended out hold-
ing an open ring box!” Ariel said.
“I started to laugh, and he said
‘Will ya?!’ and my response was,
‘Of course,” she continued. “One
of our guy friends said to him
that he needed to get down on
one knee, but he told him that if
he did, it was so cold out that his
knee would probably freeze to
the ground ... When we got in the
car to leave, he handed me a card
and told me that he was so ner-
vous that he forgot to give that
to me first. So, I opened it and it
said, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ ”
As they pass the one-year an-
niversary of their engagement,
the couple is planning to ex-
change vows June 5 at Oakland
Wesleyan Church, in Nunda,
followed by a reception at the
Genesee River Reception Center,
in Mount Morris.
“I bought my dress at David’s
Bridal and I am very lucky that
my mom is so talented that she
is going to be making all our cen-
terpieces, as well as my bridal
bouquet, the bridesmaids’ and
groomsmen’s boutonnieres.”
The couple is purchasing their
cake from The Cake Place, in
Avon. Their DJ is Kevin Eustace,
of DJ Kevin, and their photogra-
pher is Larry Tetamore of Teta-
more Photographic.
With an upcoming, 180-per-
son indoor wedding, Ariel and
Jason have had to overcome
some obstacles, so they can have
the wedding they foresee for
themselves.
“Everything from reschedul-
ing trying on wedding dresses
multiple times to having to
discuss our wedding cake via
Zoom,” Ariel said.
“It was a lot of texting pictures
of what I was looking for in a
wedding cake while we were
on Zoom,” she said, “and then
(Melissa Savino, owner of The
CMYK
THE DAILY NEWS
Soon to be husband and wife, Jason Carpenter and
Ariel Guarino of Mount Morris.
Cake Place) sending sample cup-
cakes for us to try home with my
mom.”
Jason and Ariel will not be
wearing masks on their big day,
and their guests will not be asked
to wear masks either.
“I am totally against making
my guests wearing masks on my
wedding day. I want to look back
on our special day and be able to
see people’s faces and not just
their eyes. The church is not very
big so that might be hard to so-
cial distance in, but in the recep-
tion center we have the two large
reception rooms so if people
wanted to social distance they
could,” said Ariel.
Although the couple has faced
some hiccups with planning
their wedding, they have still
been able to plan according to
what they hoped for and haven’t
had to go without anything.
“So far, knock-on-wood, there
hasn’t been, but I’m sure with
the way rules and regulations
change daily I may have some-
thing that I will need to go with-
out at our wedding,” Ariel said.
When asked if she felt she was
still able to have the wedding
she’d always imagined, despite
a global pandemic, she said: “To
be honest I do not feel as though
I can have the wedding I want ...
When I was growing up dream-
ing about my dream wedding, I
never would have imagined that
I would have to be wearing a face
mask when going and trying on
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wedding dresses or that instead
of me walking out of the dressing
room with the dress all zipped,
buttoned, and tied for my mom
who is sitting there anxiously
waiting to see if ‘this is the dress,’
I would have her in the dressing
room with me to help me get in
the wedding dresses instead of
the employee at the bridal shop.
“I did not imagine I would be
constantly worrying that I am go-
ing to have to push my wedding
back due to the possibility of the
state shutting back down; that I
am going to be told that all of my
guests have to have a COVID test
before my wedding and if they
don’t they can’t attend; that I can
only have so many people at my
wedding and that I cannot have
dancing and if I do have danc-
ing then everyone has to wear a
mask and be socially distanced.
I am so blessed that my family
— mom, aunt and uncle — are
doing everything in their power
to give me my dream wedding,
but due to this pandemic it just
makes it very hard because there
are so many ‘What if’s.’ ”
Both Ariel and Jason are look-
ing forward to becoming hus-
band and wife, even though they
will celebrate differently than
they planned.
SAMANTHA AND TIM
Newlyweds Tim McGor-
ray and Samantha Tripi-Mc-
Gorray of Bliss were married
Oct. 30, 2020, at the Sterling at
Medina, NY
nly O
66
5) 261-38
Tim McGorray and Samantha Tripi-McGorray of Bliss were married
Oct. 30, 2020 at the Sterling at Arrowhead, in Akron.
Arrowhead, in Akron.
With an original guest list of
130, state COVID-19 guidelines
forced the couple to reduce their
list to 50 people.
“That was really difficult be-
cause we have a big family, so
that took up a lot of the spots
and then we just had really close
friends …,” said Samantha.
Hosting their ceremony out-
doors allowed for some wiggle
room, but the venue was only
permitted to allow 50 people in-
side for the reception, with the
exclusion of vendors.
Despite the disappointment
of having to don a mask on their
wedding day, the McGorrays’
guests wore masks to the event to
ensure they met state guidelines
and followed safety procedures.
The couple also could not en-
joy their time on the dance floor
with their guests.
“We did get a DJ anyway as
background music,” she said,
“but decided to hire a comedy
hypnotist as entertainment and
that was a lot of fun. ”
Although Samantha never
considered postponing her
wedding due to COVID, she did
consider changing the venue to
better accommodate their wed-
ding checklist.
“I never considered postpon-
ing the wedding, but I didn’t
know if it would happen regard-
less of what I wanted,” she said.
“We were getting married to
have a marriage not a wedding,
so the idea of postponing was
not something I considered.”
JESSIE AND RON
One bride has her sights set on
a beautiful outdoor wedding on
her family property in Arcade.
Jessie Stablewski, 29, and Ron
Snyder Jr., 28, both of Lancaster,
will tie the knot, joined by family
and friends, July 3, 2021. Since
Ron proposed last July 4, the pair
is thrilled to celebrate their love
during another Independence
Day weekend with a red, white,
and blue themed wedding.
While Jessie and Ron are still
planning to have the wedding
they anticipated, they have had
to stay conscious of the con-
stantly changing COVID guide-
lines and restrictions.
“When we first started plan-
ning, summer 2020, some ven-
dors we reached out to were not
available for booking or giving
quotes until January and Feb-
ruary of 2021,” said Jessie. “…
Instead, we worked with other
vendors who were accepting cli-
ents.”
With a smaller than originally
anticipated guest list of 50, all at-
tendees will be expected to wear
a mask, as will their officiant.
“We have lots of space for
social distancing. Guests will
wear masks,” said Jessie. “…
We always wanted to have a
backyard wedding, it will just be
much smaller than we originally
wanted.”